PLAYER STORY
“I still have more
to give”
Ali Johnson
Ali Johnson, Former Women’s Super League and Championship Player, on opportunity, financial pressure and her ambition to return to the professional game.
Ali made rapid progress as a young footballer, not just at club level but also earning a place in the England Under 20 squad.
At 27, Ali has managed her career alongside the realities familiar to many women players – balancing football with family, university and part-time work to supplement her income.
Ali’s breakthrough came when injuries gave her an unexpected chance in the FA Cup. She assisted the winning goal, helping Liverpool progress and giving her the confidence to believe she could establish herself at a high level.
Uncertainty soon followed, however. By 2018, staff and players were leaving the club, and Ali travelled with England to the Under 20 World Cup in France, unsure what she would return to. Ali wanted to remain in the Super League and still believes she did not fulfil her true potential.
Ali is a beneficiary of The Players Foundation and is hopeful that greater investment in the women’s game will continue to close the gap with the men. She also highlights the financial consequences of serious injuries, particularly for players whose income depends on both football and outside employment.
Ali remains ambitious for the future. She misses the structure and competition of elite football and now uses her experience to mentor players at Wythenshawe FC, encouraging them to work hard, stay grounded and make the most of every opportunity.
INTERVIEW
“I still have more to give”
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